PhD Program in Clinical Psychology (Health Care Emphasis)

NYC CAMPUS

PhD Program in Clinical Psychology (Health Care Emphasis)

NYC CAMPUS

PhD Program in Clinical Psychology (Health Care Emphasis)

Pace University’s PhD Program in Clinical Psychology (with a Health Care Emphasis), focused on the mind-body connection, is designed to prepare clinical psychologists as scientific investigators and health service providers who develop special expertise in biopsychosocial facets of health and well-being. The program follows a scientist-practitioner, Boulder Model of training wherein research inquiry and clinical practice (assessment, prevention, promotion, and intervention) are integrated through intensive coursework and placement experiences. Graduates of the program will be prepared for productive scientific inquiry through research, and the application of research through a comprehensive foundation in the integration of current methods and procedures in assessment, prevention, promotion, and intervention procedures. The emphasis on health in this program through a lifespan development lens and global health lens addresses the complex reciprocal interaction between mental/emotional/psychological/social well-being and physical well-being. Throughout study and training, there is substantial focus on the significance of diversity in consideration of individuals’ health and well-being.

What Can I Do With This Degree?

Graduates may go on to pursue careers which include a combination of research, direct service, public policy within diverse settings such as medical, community, and academic settings. The Clinical Psychology (Health Care Emphasis) PhD Program benefits from coexisting in the same Pace University Department of Psychology with the APA-accredited Combined PsyD School-Clinical Child Psychology. Students benefit from this close interaction as a larger number of potential faculty mentors who are available to contribute to the student’s education and training, as well as advisement and support for doctoral dissertation research. The Department also has a vibrant Master’s Program in Psychology with tracks in Social and Behavioral Research, Global Health, and Industrial and Organizational Psychology; and Undergraduate Majors in Psychology and Applied Psychology; and Interdisciplinary Minor in Neuroscience with the Biology Department. The Department, comprised of diverse faculty and students, emphasizes diversity in every way: through its training emphasis in research and practice; the availability of opportunities to work with diverse populations; and through the McShane Center for Psychological Services, which provides services to the multicultural community in the lower Manhattan area; specialty clinics at the McShane Center, which serve diverse populations; and through existence of entities such as the Special Interest Group on Diversity and the Center for Global Psychology. The Pace University Program is distinctive in its consideration of factors bearing on wellness and illness: these include developmental processes (leading to preparation for work in pediatric as well as adult settings); social, cultural, economic and global features which contribute to health and well-being; as well as exposure to multiple-theoretical perspectives, including cognitive-behavioral, psychodynamic, trauma-focused, and other relevant approaches.

Dissertation research within this PhD Program involves a chosen investigation into a specific interface between psychological and physical health. Graduates of this PhD Program will have completed all pre-doctoral academic and internship requirements required for admittance to the New York State Licensing Examination.

Striving for excellence as a professional training program, it is fully intended that this new PhD Program will attain contingent-APA accreditation status, and ultimately, full APA accreditation status.